The Packers held on for a happy day at Lambeau Field, beating the Los Angeles Chargers in a nail-biter. Shades of last week hung over any pessimistic fan who watched this same Green Bay team miss an extra point and then watch the offense implode for a bitter loss just seven days ago.
But one week later the Packers had luck and good decision making on their side. Early on, the Green Bay sun shined brightly in the eyes of Charger receivers, forcing multiple drops, including a would-be touchdown that hit All Pro Keenan Allen in the chest. Late in the game the Lambeau turf, which claimed multiple players to injury, including a gruesome knee twist to Aaron Jones, helped cause Charger runner Austin Ekeler to slip as he headed towards the goal line.
While attempting to regain his balance, Ekeler was hit by Preston Smith on one side and Kenny Clark from the other. The result was a fumble at the two-yard line recovered by Rashan Gary. A game turning turnover produced by the defense.
Love passed for over 300 yards (27-40/322/2TD/108.5 rating) and statistically outplayed Justin Herbert. Love found multiple big throws in the middle of the field and also had good looking red zone reps.
His touchdown passes to Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs were perfectly placed. And he continued to go to his young receivers even after they made mistakes. Late in the second half Dontayvion Wicks dropped a sure first down pass and then ran a poor route in the next play, causing Love to throw an intentional grounding giving Wicks a few choice words as he walked to the sideline.
On the next Packer drive Love threw to Wicks again and the rookie made two plays that turned the game. First was a pass interference penalty he was able to display for the refs like a seasoned pro on 3rd and twenty, keeping the drive alive. Then two plays later Wicks produced a 35-yard highlight where the 5th round draft pick took a tremendous hit, kept his balance, turned and was off to the races.
Wick’s potential Lambeau Leap was snatched from him when the Charger’s Eric Kendricks tackled him around the ankles at the Charger 26. Romeo Doubs made a terrific catch on Love’s end zone pass for the official Lambeau Leap two plays later.
The Packer fourth quarter game winning, come from behind, drive had all of the 2023 Packers story summed up inside 6 plays. It started with a one-yard run followed by a strip-sack fumble recovered by the offense.
Then on third and three the pass interference call saved them on what would have been a miracle catch attempt by Wicks on a very low throw from Love. Once the Packers got the penalty break, Love was sharp with quick passes and good decisions. There is improvement, there is obvious talent on the field, but there is also a need to eliminate poor execution.
Accolades should be given to Kenny Clark who not only helped cause the key fumble, Clark also batted down the 4th down pass of Herbert to end the Chargers chances. The defense held running backs to 77 yards, struggling only with the scrambling of Herbert who gained 73 yards on 8 improvised runs.
Except for a bad tackle attempt by Jonathon Owens that gave up a long touchdown, the defense battled Los Angeles. With Valentine and Ballentine playing the corners and Owens and Anthony Johnson at safety, there is not a lot of experience in the defensive backfield. To hold a quarterback like Herbert to 20 points and a rating under 100 is commendable.
Karl Brooks continues to impress, adding another sack to his stats and Lukas Van Ness had two tackles where he showed good lateral movement. The young talent is starting to make plays and that bodes well for the future.
The struggles of Anders Carlson continue. If this ship isn’t righted soon, the Packers will be in the market for a kicking replacement after Christmas.
The real concern going forward is the injuries. Aaron Jones knee injury looked serious and his replacement, rookie Emanuel Wilson left the game with a shoulder injury as did De’Vondre Campbell. Deguara and Wicks also had injuries listed after the game.
Add Rudy Ford, Jaire Alexander and Bakhtiari and you possibly have 6 starters out and only one available running back. The Packers have a quick turnaround facing Detroit on Thanksgiving. A true test is coming for the holidays.
While it’s never acceptable to miss extra points. The miss last week in Pittsburgh was a protection issue and not on the kicker. Anders Carlson isn’t going anywhere. He’s got a big leg and has put up enough points on the board to stick around. Like these young WR’s and their drops. You have to keep feeding them the ball. Same with kickers. The NFL is a tough business. Especially for a bunch of 22 year olds trying to find their way.
Thursdays game will be an import test to see how far we’ve come. The only game that we really were never in was against Detroit. It’ll be an interesting test to determine the maturation of this young offense. Although it’s doubtful we’ll have a run game. That did bode well for us the last game either.
Tim Boyle gets yet another chance to jumpstart his potential hall of fame career with his start on Friday for the New York Jets. You’ll recall Tim Boyle. It was Kevin who declared Jordan Love a bust because the 21 year old rookie, without OTA’s mini camps and preseason games due to COVID, couldn’t beat out camp arm Tim Boyle. It was Brian Gutekunst who was willing to play the long game by drafting Jordan Love. While many of you preferred instant gratification with WR’s Chase Claypool or Tee Higgins.
Aaron Rodgers suffocates whatever organization he’s associated with. Even when he’s injured. If the Jets were truly interested in winning this year they’d have traded for a veteran QB like Minnesota did or given a veteran like Carson Wentz a shot. Either preferable to Tim Boyle. The problem of course, is such action would have upset Aaron Rodgers. Everything has to be about him. Rodgers paralyses your franchise. Even with the inconsistent Love we’re better off without Rodgers and so would the Jets. Now the Jets want Davante Adams. I’m sure assistant GM Rodgers is working the phones on that deal….